THE manager of a North-East railway station is giving advice on obtaining bargain rail fares.

Alex Nelson, of Chester-le-Street railway station, offers the information during talks offered to Rotary clubs, WIs and other groups.

Mr Nelson has a season ticket that covers the route between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns, on the Isle of Wight.

The two stations are at the opposite ends of the town and the season ticket is the cheapest in Britain at £104 a year.

Mr Nelson lives more than 300 miles from the Isle of Wight but uses the ticket on his regular trips to London.

The ticket, as with all season tickets, entitles him to one-third discount within the Network South-East area, which stretches from Exeter to King's Lynn and from Worcester to Hastings. The ticket allows him to upgrade to first class for only £3.

Mr Nelson said anyone travelling from King's Cross to Newcastle would normally pay £178 for an open return but could save by buying a cheaper ticket to Scotland, costing £93.50 for a return to Berwick, then get off at Newcastle.

Because the ticket allows the traveller to break the return journey, the train could be caught at Newcastle again, he said.

Any groups interested in the talk can contact Mr Nelson on 0191-387 1387.